May 31, 1949 ~ January 20, 2021
Richard E. “Coach” Ory passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family on January 20, 2021 at 7:07 am at the age of 71. He was the only child of “Tee” and Ella Ory. He was born on May 31, 1949 in Baton Rouge and lived most of his life in Baker, Louisiana. He graduated from Baker High School and McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He did his post graduate work in Education at Southern University in Baton Rouge and Loyola University in New Orleans. Coach Ory taught and coached at Assumption High School, Ponchatoula High School, Baker High School, Redemptorist High School, Crestworth Elementary, and The Runnels School. After retiring from the school system, Coach began a new career in golf. He became the golf pro at Historic City Park Golf Course and J.S. Clark Golf Course in Baton Rouge. He also served on the board of the BREC foundation. In addition to golf and education, he was also a lifelong member of the Methodist church and spent many years as a Sunday school teacher. He also served as chairman of the education department at Baker First Methodist Church. In his later years, he was very active with senior citizens of the parish, even having the honor to serve as chairman of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging. Coach was most happy when he could help someone else; in doing so, he served as past president of the Inter-Civic Council of Baton Rouge and served as chairman of the Golden Deeds Award Banquet in 2011. When Coach was not teaching, coaching, or helping others he enjoyed many vacations with his wife, Beverly, and their children. He is survived by the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Beverly Henderson Ory; children, Tiffany Breshears and husband Dan, Angie McKernan and husband Scott, Richard Benjamin Ory, and Kate Ory; beloved grandchildren, Karlee McKernan, Caleb McKernan, Phoebe Breshears, Kailynn Gonzales, Brandon Gonzales, Isabella Ory, and Tyler Ory; and special friend from Ithaca, New York, Mikey Thaller.
Coach was always proud of his first cousins; Becky Dupuy, Cholly Beasley, Dr. “Henny” Ory, and Dr. John Ory. He was preceded in death by parents, “Tee” and Ella Ory, and daughter-in-law, Aubrie Ory. In his passing, Coach would like to thank the many students, athletes, golfers, and individuals that enriched his life and made his years so meaningful. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Heart of Hospice team and to his cardiologist and friend, Dr. Joseph Cefalu.
Coach was always proud of his first cousins; Becky Dupuy, Cholly Beasley, Dr. “Henny” Ory, and Dr. John Ory. He was preceded in death by parents, “Tee” and Ella Ory, and daughter-in-law, Aubrie Ory. In his passing, Coach would like to thank the many students, athletes, golfers, and individuals that enriched his life and made his years so meaningful. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Heart of Hospice team and to his cardiologist and friend, Dr. Joseph Cefalu.
6 comments
Jack Terry
January 24, 2021 at 2:58 am
I hired and worked along side Coach Ory while he worked in the golf department at BREC. Customers and co-workers loved him. I used to tease him about his golf game, he would make this long swishing swing and the ball wouldn’t go that far… but he had this “chipper”that he used around the greens that always saved him tons of shots; we would always have fun on the course. That was the type of person he was. Coach valued his friends, and he had a lot of them.
From time to time when we worked together, before customers would start arriving, he sort of had this ritual of wanting to start the day off with a song. He had a strong booming voice and without instruments to accompany him, he would belt out a song. Most were hymns, which I appreciated, but it did feel sort of odd being the only one there to hear his performance. He would finish, beam at me and ask, “How did you like that one?” “That was great Coach,” I would return. He would beam again and tell me to have a great day. It was him unabashedly giving me a gift. That’s what true friends do. That is why it hurts for now, but gives me great joy, to know that Coach gave me the gift of his friendship.
Lyn Deville
January 24, 2021 at 2:18 am
Beverly and family,
What a privilege it has been to get to know Richie. We wish we had more time, but God had his place reserved in Glory. You are all in our prayers. Bev, we are right next door for anything you need.
Much love,
Mickey and Lyn
Dennis Bauer
January 23, 2021 at 9:07 pm
My Heart hurts for the , my Brother Richie is in the Arms of JESUS Happy and Joyful 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙌
Bill Seale
January 22, 2021 at 8:44 pm
I remember Coach Ory’s sense of humor and always pushing his students to be the best they could be. Thank you coach for pushing me and being an influence in my life and may you rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Elizabeth J Babin
January 22, 2021 at 2:30 pm
Bev Ann, Tiffany, Angie, Ben, Kate and all of the family, ya’ll are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Peace of Christ comfort and fill you with His Peace which only He can give. Richie was such a character!! You could rest assured of getting some great laughs from him. I have such fond memories of you and Richie and all of the family. If you want and need a shoulder to lean on, you know that I am here for you Bev Ann!!! I love you and all of your beautiful family! Peace of Christ be with you!
Love always, Jeanne
Alex Broussard
January 22, 2021 at 12:34 am
Coach Ory is one of the many fine men that helped shape my life perception, and truly is a King of a soul. My heart sinks deep, but I know he is at glory. Condolences to his family.